At the time of writing this blog it was 106 degrees in Fort Worth, TX and started thinking about how I would not want to be crawling through an attic right now. Instead wanted to help those of you who are on a journey to save some money, and hopefully learn something new. If you’re past the product research stage and already have a camera or system in mind, or have it sitting in a digital shopping cart, this article will be providing information on installing your hardwired CCTV or Security camera system.
Installing Battery operated security cameras don’t require any special tricks and can be installed almost anywhere. The downside is, unless you have a solar panel connected to the battery-operated camera, and getting more than adequate sun light coverage, you will be recharging the battery constantly.
These are the steps I personally follow for my business when installing security cameras for my customers:
1. Assess the area you’re wanting to have covered:
- Determine the areas you need to monitor (e.g., entrances, driveways, backyards).
- Decide on the type of security cameras you need (e.g., dome, bullet, PTZ). Dome cameras work best indoors, or at least with some type of coverage. These security cameras tend to require the most maintenance since they get dirty often. Bullet cameras have longer bodies, and work best under eves. Turret cameras are my personal favorite and can be installed indoors and outdoors.
Dome Style
Bullet Style
Turret Style
2. Create a Layout:
- Draw a rough sketch of your property or use google maps to help design the layout with the coverage you’re aiming for.
- Mark the security camera locations on the sketch.
3. Choose the Right Equipment:
- Select security cameras with the required specifications (resolution, night vision, weatherproofing). For security cameras going in narrow spaces, preferably you want less of a view angle to avoid capturing too much of what you don’t want to see, such as walls or fence lines.
- Choose a compatible DVR/NVR system for recording footage.
- Purchase necessary cables (Cat5e/Cat6 for IP cameras, coaxial for analog cameras) and power supplies. When it comes to buying cable for your security cameras, avoid CCA for ethernet cable. This is short for copper clad aluminum. This cable will be significantly cheaper than solid copper core cables but can cause trouble with your POE devices. Also look for CMR ethernet cable. This should be sufficient and save you the most money when shopping for CAT5E/CAT6 cable.
Installation Phase
1. Gather Tools and Materials:
- Drill and bits
- Screwdrivers
- Fish sticks or rods
- Cable clips or conduit
- Ethernet or coaxial cables
- Power drill
- Ladder
- Safety gear (gloves, goggles)
2. Start drilling your cable holes:
- Use a ladder to reach high places safely.
- Drill holes for the camera cable or pigtails.
- Make sure your hole is large enough the first time. You don’t want to have the cable pushed through the hole, only to find out later the hole is not large enough to fit the camera pigtail.
- Avoid getting too close to corners if possible. From an aesthetic standpoint the cameras look better near the corner of your home or business, but trying to access the cable through the attic can be a major PITA.
3. Run the Cables:
- Run the cable to its destination and cut the cables according to your planned routes. Leave about 5-10ft of extra cable for future service.
- Use fish tape to guide cables through walls or ceilings.
- Secure cables with clips or conduit to prevent sagging.
- Label the cables for easy identification.
4. Connect the Cameras:
- Watch some videos to crimp the connectors on to the ethernet cable. Helps to purchase a crimper tool with the B or A cable standard on it.
- For IP cameras, connect the Ethernet cables to the cameras and the NVR.
- For analog cameras, connect the coaxial cables to the cameras and the DVR.
- Connect power cables to the cameras and a power source.
5. Set Up the Recording System:
- Place the DVR/NVR in a secure, ventilated area.
- Connect the DVR/NVR to a monitor for setup for local viewing. Depending on the system you purchase, initial set up can only be completed using a monitor connected to the recorder.
- Power on the DVR/NVR and follow the on-screen instructions to configure the system (e.g., setting recording schedules, motion detection).
6. Test Your System:
- Check each camera feed to ensure it’s working correctly.
- Adjust camera angles if necessary. This will probably take a day or two since you won’t know what the camera looks like at night. Avoid having the viewing angle too close to a wall or surface, since at night you might get infrared light bouncing back to the lens. This will cause most of the image to be too dark.
- Test the recording functionality to ensure footage is being stored properly.
Post-Installation Tips
1. Regular Maintenance:
- Clean camera lenses periodically to ensure clear footage. Insects and stain from precipitation will cause lens to get dirty and affect your nighttime viewing.
- Check cable connections and camera mounts for wear and tear. Although cables last a long time, if you tend to have rodents in your attic or crawl space, they gravitate to it and will cause damage to the cabling.
2. Monitor and Review Footage:
- Regularly review the footage to ensure the system is capturing the necessary areas.
- Save important footage and back up regularly.
3. Update Software:
- Keep your DVR/NVR firmware updated for improved performance and security features.
4. Secure Your System:
- Change default passwords to strong, unique passwords.
- Enable encryption and other security features to protect against unauthorized access.
By following this guide, you should be well-equipped to plan and install your hardwired security cameras effectively. If you encounter difficulties, consider contacting us for help by heading to the contact us page and filling out the form, or give us a call at 817-803-6849 for more information.
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